A novel multiport converter switching scheme to integrate multiple renewable energy sources

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper, an innovative switching scheme named simultaneous space vector modulation (SSVM) is proposed for integrating various AC sources in the energy industry using a unified multiport converter. The proposed SSVM technique is applied to the multileg topology of a multiport converter, which is an encouraging option for the grid integration of renewable energy sources and multimachine drives. Considering the shared leg in the multileg converter, the proposed SSVM can utilize the utmost simultaneous switching states between different ports, resulting in lower switching loss and better DC‐link voltage utilization compared with the conventional sequential space vector modulation approach. A novel decision matrix concept is introduced to identify the simultaneous switching states. For this aim, according to the number of ports of the multileg converter, decision matrices containing valid simultaneous switching states are first calculated. Then, they are defined as look‐up tables in the proposed SSVM to be retrieved and exploited in every sampling period. The effectiveness of the proposed SSVM for a seven‐leg version of the multileg converter is assessed using the simulation analysis and real‐time validation. The capability of the proposed SSVM‐based multiport converter in grid integration of AC renewable energy sources is also verified considering two permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG)‐based wind turbines with real wind speed patterns. The simulation results confirm that the proposed SSVM is properly able to manage the power flow between different ports and improve the DC voltage utilization and switching loss compared with the sequential SVM.